LIGHT FOOTPRINT: PACKING THEORIES
I’m starting to imagine travel again—the possibility of going somewhere is keeping me going. I’m sure everybody has a vision of a beloved, far-off place, that has probably never felt more beloved or more far-off. On a more practical level, let’s consider my ongoing obsession with packing lightly. We can start by revisiting the irrefutable virtues of what’s inside a well-considered bag:
-It’s practical. Every trip you wish your bag was lighter, whether you’re entering the terminal, crossing the cobblestones of a European city, even walking to your hotel.
-It’s improving. You develop ideas of dressing when you have a concise wardrobe. It pulls you toward your own uniform while revealing what’s needed and what’s needless.
-It’s even moral. You board planes more quickly when you’re not jamming some oversized roller bag in the overhead bin.
-It’s definitely aesthetic. Nobody looks good pushing a roller bag. That’s just science.
So now that’s settled.
During a recent Q&A a friend wondered how my packing ethic that actually works in practice. Well, I’m glad you asked. The first thing is that if it’s a fishing trip it’s a different situation. If I’m going to Patagonia or the Bahamas I have to pack everything in. That means a huge duffel and pretty heavy going. As Matt Hranek famously says, “I don’t like to be under-geared.” If you know Matt, he of the double duffle, then you know he’s the least under-geared man on Earth. He usually has a few extra fishing reels and a few cameras hidden away somewhere.
But this is a visit to a city, so the first thing is an overlooked premise: You don’t need everything. You just need to cover most bases most of the time. I think people imagine what conditions and setting they might experience and their imagination runs wild, as if the weather might be every variation from cold and wet to hot and dry. Exhale and take a closer look. I want two things: An everyday outfit that’s comfortable but dressy enough, and something to wear at night that’s more formal. That’s it. So I start there and work backward.
-Everyday means some sort of trousers that don’t require a crease, like cords, moleskins or something twill. Shirts that aren’t too fine, so Oxford cloth shirts or poplin. Shoes I can wear all day, anything from Crockett & Jones Chelsea boots to Alden chukka boots. Knit tie, naturally. And a sport coat.
-Evening means dark grey flannel trousers (summer-weight wool works most of the time). One or two dress shirts. Possibly a different sport coat. Belgian shoes (or Belgian adjacent).
-X factor. This is where a lot of people go crazy. I look at where I’m going, think about the climate and the level of formality, and decide if I want a big cardigan or a light one. And whether I want a smart overcoat or more of a chore jacket. If it’s going to rain then I bring a Mackintosh. You only get one jacket. Sorry that’s the rule.
So here’s my bag for any trip under a week:
-Three Oxford cloth shirts (these are also easy to wash by hand).
-Two dress shirts.
-Belgian shoes (which have the benefit of being very light).
-Boxers/socks.
-Dopp kit—this should also be mostly empty! You need way less than you think and your hotel will have things too.
-Extra sport coat (optional).
-Bathing suit (you never know!).
-Pair of trousers.
Add it all together and what do you have? Not that much. For variety bring accessories: a few scarves and pocket squares, which are whimsical and light, light, light. Packing well is an exercise that reveals a well-edited mind. And it’s my mission to ensure that you move gracefully through the world under your own power. With luck, we’ll be back out there in the not too distant future. Amen fellow travelers.